So I go. A tiny measuring cup, a white bunch of flowers, he splits a grin, affection crinkled at the corners of his eyes.

Then it's Myra, "Mom look, I got a jar with water in, and plants are in." She turns a pint jar upside down, then rights it. Green leaves whirl with the movement. "I don't want Joe to get it," she explains. "I'm gonna look at my plant." She unscrews the silver ring, pokes her nose into the jar.

A friend pops in, the children scatter through the house, undo miscellaneous messes. We smile at the nice company.

"I'm gonna go get more flowers for your vase," Jack announces as she leaves.

"Aw thanks," I say. I wonder how many stems will fit in the tiny cup.

"I actually wouldn't care about going out there except for flowers for you," he says.

"Yeah?" I say. I smile from the green couch. He shrugs there at the back door, his six salad plants sprouted on the brick hearth, crisp green, already four inches tall.

"I hope there are some spring flowers," he says. "I'm gonna wear my boots." He shoves a toe into a black wellie. Jane scampers by. He turns to her. "If I can't find flowers, then I'm gonna play," he calls.

They play. Another bouquet finds its way to the table.

I call Myra in for naps. We meet in my room, her perched on the edge of the bed, her mason jar balanced against her leg.

"Oh, wow," I say. I pick up her jar.

"It's a plant thing," she says. I rotate the vase in my hand. The metal seal topples off, I right the gush just in time.

"Here, we'll leave it on the dresser while you nap," I say.

Then, each morning, Jack heralds me. "Momma, you should look at your flowers this morning," he says.

"Ok," I say.

"Mom, you should look. Some of the buds are blooming that weren't yesterday."

I smile his direction.

"Some sticks are poking up," he pokes his fingers through his hand. "And the white part isn't even crumpled."

Bouquets appear on table tops, the hearth, dressers, and countertops. The children carry them around in jars and cups, bowls and old bottles. Joey steals a bouquet at nap time, drinks the water out of the vase.

They pour over the plants, memorize the dried up buds and crumpled leaves. Myra clutches her jar, totes it around until it starts to stink.

About Me

Us plus seven now. Family of nine.
Momma always said, "Make your own fun." I guess this is what she meant.
Join in the banter! Please leave a thought if you've stopped by. You all add richness to this journey.
Cheers! ~Bethany ~
JaneJackLulieRose@gmail.com

Our Vision

We are an outpost of the Kingdom of God. We want to build a loving, warn, stable family into which the world may come when invited, on our terms, so that our children may learn to recognize evil and minister to hurting people of this world with compassion, and become equipped to answer the enemies of God in the gate of the city when they become adults.